Government 'diluting' sovereignty over Kashmir: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday termed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Working Group's report on centre-state relations as a "conspiracy against the national interests" and asserted it would not allow the group's recommendations to be implemented.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday termed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Working Group's report on centre-state relations as a "conspiracy against the national interests" and asserted it would not allow the group's recommendations to be implemented.

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The party's general secretary Arun Jaitley, who was a member of the fifth working group on Kashmir headed by retired judge Saghir Ahmad, said Sunday that the report seeks to "dilute the centre's control over Kashmir" and this was " unacceptable."

Addressing a meeting of the party workers here, Jaitley said that he has "no hesitation in saying that Justice Saghir Ahmad has brought a bad name to the Indian judiciary."

The report submitted to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Dec 23 favours restoration of greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, restoration of the titles of "Sadr-e-Riyasat" for head of the state, 'prime minister' for head of the government, and control of all affairs barring defence, communications and external affairs.

This report has sparked off agitations in Jammu and Ladakh region, while Kashmir has been mute over it though the ruling National Conference has hailed it as a vindication of its stand for autonomy.